Understanding Food Biotechnology What genetically modified foods are all about

Do you know the one about the arctic char gene in the frost-resistant tomato? Or maybe you have heard the term “Frankenfood” used in popular media? These images may be catchy and provoke emotion. In many cases they’ve even reached urban myth status. However, they do little to give consumers the knowledge they need to make informed choices about food biotechnology.

So, what is food biotechnology? Why does it cause so much concern? In simple terms, food biotechnology is the use of living material to improve food production and food quality. This is a broad definition. It includes food production methods that have been used for centuries. An example is the fermentation of grape juice to make wine. Another is using yeast to make bread. Most people are comfortable with these uses. However, people have more questions about foods using modern biotechnology, also referred to as genetically modified or genetically engineered foods.

Genes carry information about the characteristics of an organism. In the 1970s scientists developed the ability to transfer a piece of information from a gene, a specific genetic trait, from one organism to another. These techniques have been used in the medical field for some time. Only over the last six to eight years have they have been used in agriculture and food production. Most of the first products developed using modern food biotechnology were crops. Genetic changes allow these crops to withstand a certain type of herbicide or protect themselves against specific damaging insects or viruses. Farmers who use these modified seeds can use farming practices which are more friendly to the environment and reduce pesticide use. Future use may help to improve the nutritional quality of our food supply. One food currently under development is rice with higher levels of beta-carotene. This helps prevent childhood blindness in Asian countries. Another variation is tomatoes with increased lycopene, a powerful antioxidant for fighting cancer and artery disease. These types of foods are still several years away from store shelves but may hold promise for the future.

Some genetically modified crops have been approved by Health Canada, Environment Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for use in this country. These include certain types of canola, corn, cottonseed, flax, potato, soybean, squash, sugar beet and tomato. Only the canola, corn, soybeans and a small amount of flax are currently grown here. For the most current information on foods submitted for government approval, visit the CFIA website.

Some foods from these crops have been on grocery store shelves since the late 1990s. They may not be labelled as “genetically modified.” In Canada, foods from these crops must be labelled if they are different in composition or nutrition, or if there are any health or safety concerns. Modified foods now approved for use are not different in composition and nutrition from those that have been traditionally bred. They do not pose any health or safety concerns. Voluntary labelling of genetically modified foods is allowed as long as the label is truthful and not misleading. The Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors and the Canadian General Standards Board are developing standards for the voluntary labelling of foods from modern biotechnology.

If you are interested in exploring this topic in greater depth, these books will help.

Biotechnology Unzipped by Eric Grace.

Pandora’s Picnic Basket by Alan McHughen.

What makes modern food biotechnology such a sensitive topic? It is a complex subject and uses technology most people are not familiar with. Since it is complex, it is not easy to explain in a way that has meaning to consumers. A thorough discussion of some of the issues related to this topic might draw on a long list of areas of special knowledge. These may include plant, animal, and agricultural science, farming, nutrition, medicine, environmental sciences, economics, ethics, sociology, law, and international trade. To get the whole picture, consumers should look at an issue from a number of angles when seeking answers.

Modern food biotechnology tends to attract media attention. In recent years a few related health and safety stories have hit the headlines. In any case, the full story takes more than one article to explain. Though the first headlines are eye catching, the follow-up story (often reported months or years later) is often much less visible. Often initial headlines are based on early research or the results of a single study. Readers need to avoid jumping to conclusions. To understand fully the public must be patient and read beyond the first coverage of a topic.

Food is one subject near and dear to most people’s hearts. This important and personal topic touches everyone. With food biotechnology, as with many things food related, there are many opinions. Patience and persistence and a broad viewpoint are needed for better understanding. It is not possible to gain a thorough understanding of this subject and the related issues in any one article or from any one point of view. Ask the questions and get the information you need to make informed choices that are right for your family.